Titans Insider » Matt Hasselbeckhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans
Titans news and analysis from Tennessean.comSun, 16 Mar 2014 15:26:22 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.6Colts happy to have Hasselbeckhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2013/11/14/colts-happy-to-have-hasselbeck/
http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2013/11/14/colts-happy-to-have-hasselbeck/#commentsThu, 14 Nov 2013 16:38:07 +0000JIM WYATT, The Tennesseanhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/?p=27572When Jake Locker was sidelined with a shoulder injury a year ago, it was veteran Matt Hasselbeck who stepped in to lead the Titans.

This year it’s Ryan Fitzpatrick, after the Titans released Hasselbeck with a year left on his contract during the offseason. The two sides couldn’t agree to a price tag while attempting to restructure his deal.

Hasselbeck returns to LP Field on Thursday night as a member of the Colts, who signed him immediately after the Titans released him.

“He’s had a huge impact. He’s been tremendous not only for our organization, our team, but certainly for Andrew (Luck) and Chandler (Harnish) being two young quarterbacks,’’ Colts coach Chuck Pagano said. “(He’s) an outstanding human being, a great person, brilliant guy, obviously brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to that room. He’s been great for our team and for Andrew.”

Hasselbeck started for the Titans in 2011, but the Titans awarded Locker with the starting job in 2012, when Hasselbeck became his backup. Locker raved about his influence, and Luck said he’s made a big impact on him as well.

Hasselbeck has come off the bench and played in two games this season. He’s 4-of-8 for 105 yards, with an interception.

“He’s been everything you could have hoped for in a teammate, a guy to have in your meeting room,’’ Luck said. “The way he prepares, his professionalism, personality fits in so well. He does talk a lot as I’m sure you guys know, so we kid him on that. He’s been a great teammate and a great mentor. I feel truly blessed to be able to play with him.”

The Titans signed former Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick on Monday night after releasing Hasselbeck, who signed with the Colts. The Titans and Hasselbeck had tried to work out a restructured contract.

Webster talked to PFT Live from the owners meetings in Phoenix this morning.

“Initially, when Matt came to Tennessee, he was going to be the starter and things have changed. Jake Locker is our starter and we tried to work something out with Matt and weren’t able to do that,’’ Webster said. “It was kind of mutual (decision) between the both of us that we would let him go. … We just felt like it was best for both parties and we are happy to get Ryan Fitzpatrick. He’ll do a great job in that role as a back-up to Jake Locker.”

Other topics Webster discussed on PFT Live:

On the decision to pay Chris Johnson $10 million for 2013: “We covered all of our bases and talked about everything and just figured the best decision for us was to keep Chris and move forward. He is really our most dynamic player, and just add pieces around him and make him better through the other guys on the team.”

On Kenny Britt’s future with the Titans: “The goal is for him to play well for us this year. He is a year off the ACL, and he has been rehabbing, and working hard and the hope is he’ll be back to the old Kenny Britt. We’ll see where it goes from here. It has been a tough run for Kenny with the off-the-field things, as well as injuries, but hopefully we’ll have one smooth year with him.”

On how close the Titans were to getting wideout Wes Welker, who signed with Denver: “Other than some preliminary talks, I don’t think it ever got serious.”

On if the Titans are looking at upgrading the pass rush with defensive ends in free agency: “It’s always a possibility. I think the one thing we have to do is improve on every level of our defense and not just our pass rush. I think we got better pass-rush wise as we kind of tweaked our scheme as the year went on and actually finished pretty high in sacks. We’ve added Gregg Williams to our staff and he will add some great knowledge to the defense. … I wouldn’t rule it out, but it’s probably not a big priority either.”

On the sense of urgency, and expectation level, from owner Bud Adams: “I think he wants to win. He is 90 years old and I think that ratchets everything up. But every year you are kind of on the block in this league now. We’ll see what happens but he wants to win. He has allowed us to go out and be aggressive in free agency which we did, and he’ll want us to do well in the draft and put a good product on the field.”

Hasselbeck was released on Monday by the Titans after the two sides were unable to agree to a restructured contract.

“We are very pleased to announce the signing of Matt Hasselbeck,” Colts General Manager Ryan Grigson said. “His body of work, intangibles, and extensive league experience speak for themselves. Those factors, plus his familiarity with our offensive scheme, will make him a great asset to our team and its vision as we move forward.”

Hasselbeck, a 14-year veteran, has completed 3,029-of-5,018 passes for 34,517 yards, 201 touchdowns and 147 interceptions for a passer rating of 82.2 in his career.

He was scheduled to make $5.5 million in the final year of his contract with the Titans. He signed a two-year deal worth reportedly $8 million with the Colts.

]]>http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2013/03/19/colts-officially-at-matt-hasselbeck/feed/0Hasselbeck was key in clutch for Titanshttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2013/03/19/hasselbeck-was-key-in-clutch-for-titans/
http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2013/03/19/hasselbeck-was-key-in-clutch-for-titans/#commentsTue, 19 Mar 2013 15:30:45 +0000JOHN GLENNON, The Tennesseanhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/?p=24624The question many Titans fans are asking today is how Ryan Fitzpatrick compares to Matt Hasselbeck as a backup quarterback to Jake Locker.

The obvious advantage the Titans gained in swapping the two players is in age, as Fitzpatrick is 29 and Hasselbeck will turn 38 in September.

Another Fitzpatrick advantage, based on the two players’ recent stats, is in touchdown production, as Fitzpatrick threw TD passes on almost five percent of his tosses last year, the 13th-best figure in the league.

The two players are fairly even in recent stats in a handful of other categories – such as completion percentage, interception rate and overall quarterback rating.

But Hasselbeck did have a decided edge over Fitzpatrick – again in recent stats – in a few categories that might fall under the “clutch” heading.

Some examples:

–In the last two minutes of the half, Hasselbeck was outstanding for the Titans in both 2011 and 2012. He completed 66 percent of his passes, produced six touchdowns and one interception and posted great passer ratings – 105.4 during his full season in 2011 and 104.2 in eight appearances last year. Fitzpatrick wasn’t as successful in two-minute situations in 2012. Though he completed more than 60 percent of his passes during those stretches, he threw three touchdowns and three picks, resulting in a 78.7 rating.

–In situations where the margin of the gamewas within seven points in the fourth quarter, Hasselbeck produced better recent numbers than Fitzpatrick as well. Again combining his full 2011 season and last year’s eight appearances, Hasselbeck completed 51 of 84 passes (61 percent), posted five touchdowns versus two interceptions, and produced ratings of 94.7 in 2011 and 88.6 in 2012. Fitzpatrick, on the other hand, competed a high percentage of passes (34-of-50 for 68 percent) in those situations last year, but threw for just one touchdown vs. four interceptions and produced a rating of 55.5.

–Hasselbeck was gold in the red zone. In 2011, he threw 13 touchdowns vs. no interceptions, was sacked just twice and posted a 109.6 rating. In his eight appearances last year, Hasselbeck threw five touchdowns vs. no interceptions, taking just two sacks and producing a 104.2 rating. Fitzpatrick was pretty good in the red zone last year, but not in Hasselbeck’s league. He threw 14 touchdown passes but was picked off twice and was sacked four times, leaving him with a rating of 89.9.

Hasselbeck’s poise in the clutch was no doubt one of the big reasons he led five game-winning, fourth-quarter drives during his stay with the Titans.

Maybe the Hasselbeck-Fitzpatrick comparison won’t matter next year, if starter Jake Locker stays healthy and performs well throughout the entire season.

But given how often starting quarterbacks step into harm’s way in the NFL – and given the fact that Locker’s shoulder injury forced him to miss five full games last year – odds are we’ll see how well Fitzpatrick plays in critical situations.

]]>http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2013/03/19/hasselbeck-was-key-in-clutch-for-titans/feed/0Titans QBs unite for a causehttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2013/03/08/titans-qbs-unite-for-a-cause/
http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2013/03/08/titans-qbs-unite-for-a-cause/#commentsFri, 08 Mar 2013 15:48:11 +0000JOHN GLENNON, The Tennesseanhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/?p=24380It’s been months since the Titans last played a football game, but the team’s three quarterbacks were united Thursday for a different cause.

Jake Locker, Matt Hasselbeck and Rusty Smith all participated in a chapel service at Lipscomb University, where they addressed students from the college and Lipscomb Academy about the importance of their faith and how it plays an influence in their lives.

Hasselbeck and Locker both told students they’d changed quite a bit since their rowdier college days. Locker, for instance, noted that he often served as the host for football team parties while at the University of Washington.

But Locker noted a particular difference in his life during the past year, after he attended a Pro Athletes Outreach conference with Hasselbeck and Smith during the past offseason. The PAO website explains that the organization “exists to unite a community of pro athletes and couples to grow as disciples of Jesus and positively impact their spheres of influence.”

“(Hasselbeck) had gone for like 13 years, so he mentioned it to us last year and then we actually went again this year,” Locker said. “I think I already had a foundation in place from people that cared enough about me. But I was kind of blocking the path, like, `Hey, I’m a good person overall. I do the right thing most of the time.’

“But for me, it was like doing (the right thing) most of the time isn’t good enough. Doing it all the time is what He calls us to do and what I need to start focusing on.”

Locker said he hopes to be able to pass on some of his experiences to others, as he did Thursday.

“I think having the opportunity to share your story and the walk you have is an important part of what God calls us to do,” Locker said. “I think I’ve become really more aware of that in my last year. It’s something that’s more important to me now and I want to make more of an effort to take advantage of opportunities to do that.”

]]>http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2013/03/08/titans-qbs-unite-for-a-cause/feed/0Hasselbeck waits on contract resolutionhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2013/03/07/hasselbeck-waits-on-contract-resolution/
http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2013/03/07/hasselbeck-waits-on-contract-resolution/#commentsFri, 08 Mar 2013 01:06:13 +0000JOHN GLENNON, The Tennesseanhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/?p=24374Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck wants to return to the Titans next season, and he said dialogue about a restructured contract continues between his agent and the team.

But the 37-year-old, 14-year veteran is realistic enough to know there’s a chance it might not work out, and that he could be cut.

“Well, yeah, if we can’t come to an agreement, I guess that’s what they’d have to do. That’s just how it goes,” Hasselbeck said on Thursday. “Right now I’m working out hard, getting prepared and ready, trying to have the best year I can. Again, I’m really hopeful that it’s here, but I understand that some things are more out of your control.”

Hasselbeck, entering the third and final year of his contract, is scheduled to make $5.5 million in base salary. Including bonus money, he would count $7.5 million against the salary cap.

With Jake Locker now the starter, Hasselbeck will have to take a pay cut.

“I believe in what we’re doing. I believe in (general manager) Ruston Webster and (coach) Mike Munchak. I believe I believe in my teammates like Jake,” Hasselbeck said. “But … anything can happen. Surprises come. We’ll see. I don’t know. Some of it is out of my hands and some of it is in my hands.”

Hasselbeck played in eight games last season with five starts in place of the injured Locker. The veteran was 138-of-221 passing (62.4 percent) for 1,367 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions. His passer rating was 81.0.

“I’m really wanting to be part of something special, part of something good, something I can be proud of and things like that will far outweigh salary or whatever,” Hasselbeck said. “My feelings for wanting to stay haven’t changed. My feelings for how easy it’s been for us to plug into this community in Nashville haven’t changed.”

]]>http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2013/03/07/hasselbeck-waits-on-contract-resolution/feed/0Hasselbeck, Locker on Cookhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2013/03/07/hasselbeck-locker-on-cooks-likely-departure/
http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2013/03/07/hasselbeck-locker-on-cooks-likely-departure/#commentsThu, 07 Mar 2013 22:51:12 +0000JOHN GLENNON, The Tennesseanhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/?p=24369When it comes to the business side of football, not much surprises Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck after 14 years in the NFL.

But that doesn’t lessen his disappointment regarding the potential loss of tight end Jared Cook, who is likely to hit the free-agent market on Monday. Assuming that happens, the Titans will be left to fill a void, given the fact Cook posted 93 catches and seven touchdowns over the past two seasons.

“His position can be filled by a tight end or a receiver-type guy, but just speaking as a teammate and quarterback, he’s obviously an incredible talent,” Hasselbeck said. “He’s a really good teammate and good friend, so it’s hard to lose a guy like that. No doubt he’ll be successful no matter what happens, and the challenge will be just for our team to replace his productivity.”

One player whose responsibilities will likely increase is second-year tight end Taylor Thompson, who caught six passes last year after converting from a collegiate defensive end.

“He’s a guy that got a lot better, really improved as the year went on,” Hasselbeck said of Thompson. “(But) I don’t know that we have anyone that is really similar style-wise to Jared. Jared’s kind of in that (New Orleans Saints’) Jimmy Graham type of mold – like a former basketball player/tight end/receiver. Obviously we’ve got the big-play opportunity with him.”

Titans starting quarterback Jake Locker was still hoping on Thursday that the team might re-sign the 6-5, 248-pound Cook, a four-year veteran.

“Obviously he’s a very talented player and I’m hoping we find a way to get him back here,” Locker said. “At the end of the day, he’s a friend and you wish him the best no matter where he goes. You’ll be rooting for him.”

–The Titans are still trying to keep tight end Jared Cook from leaving. Despite not placing the franchise tag on him, I expect the two sides to continue to talk about a long-term contract leading up to March 12, the start of free agency. The two sides haven’t been close on money to this point, however, and other teams are waiting with more.

–I expect the Titans to work out a long-term deal with kicker Rob Bironas at some point. The Titans want him back, and Bironas wants to remain in Tennessee. That scenario hasn’t produced a deal for Cook, but I think it will for Bironas.

–Defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks will be a hot commodity if he hits the market, and right now it looks like that will be a free agent. The Titans say they want to re-sign Marks, but the two sides aren’t close to a deal at this point.

–Return man Darius Reynaud is a player the Titans should re-sign, but not overpay for him.

–I can’t see offensive linemen Steve Hutchinson and Eugene Amano in the team’s plans for 2013. Both are coming off season-ending surgeries, and are scheduled to make $3.94 million and $4.75 million, respectively.

–The Titans will be aggressive early in free agency in trying to find at least one quality offensive lineman. Bills guard Andy Levitre will be one of their targets, though he’s expected to get plenty of attention on the market.

–Veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has said he’s willing to re-do his contract, and with a $5.5 million base salary, he’s going to have to take a pay cut. Starter Jake Locker is only scheduled to make $1.519 million this fall.

–The Titans are going to make a tender offer to restricted free agent Fernando Velasco. They should make sure another team doesn’t get him. He was accountable, durable and solid when he finally got a chance to start in 2012.